Combined anti-rattler



( No Model.)

A. J GIDDINGS. COMBINED ANTI-RATTLER NUT LOOK, AND THILL SUPPORT.

NO. 445,527. Patented Jan, 27, 1891.

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ALBERT J. GIDDINGS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

COMBlNED ANTl-RATTLER, NUT-LOCK, AND THlLL-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,527, dated January 27, 1891. Application filed November 16, 1889. Serial No. 330,464.. (N9 model.)

To all whom it mayconcern:

l 3e it known that I, ALBERT J. GIDDINGS, a citizen. of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usef ul Improvements in Combined Anti-Rattler, Nut-Lock, and Supporter for Thills; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a combined antirattler, nut-lock, and support for thills; and it consists in and of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings; and the object of my invention is to produce a device of a simple and inexpensive character, that may be readily attached to the thills and axle of any ordinary vehicle, and will prevent the same from rattling and the nut from becoming loose and the bolt from dropping out and detaching the thills from the said axle. I accomplish this by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a section of an axle with a thill attached by means of an ordinary clip, and showing my device attached; Fig. 2, a front elevation of the same; and Fig. 3, detached perspective view of my device, showing its general form, shape, and construction; and Fig. 4, an elevation similar to Fig. 2, showing an alternative method of applying the device.

Like reference-letters indicate like parts in each of the several figures.

The device consists, generally, of a wire spring of the peculiar shape and construction shown in Fig. 3, constructed integral, of suitable spring-wirc, having a loop F, parallel parts G G, coiled springs H H, parallel curved arms I I, engaging hooks J, arm K, having square loop L, terminating in the downwardly-projecting point M. When in the first po sition on the vehicle, the loop F embraces the shank of the jaws of the clip 0, which is secured to the axle A, and the thills B are pivoted between said jaws by the bolt 1) in the usual manner. One side of said loop presses against the head and the other against the nut of said bolt; and in the second position the loop F is placed between said jaws and between said bolt and the axle, as shown in Fig. 4: by dotted line. The parallel parts G embrace the nuts E E, which secure the clip in position. The springs II II are arranged at the rear of the axle, and the parallel curved parts I Iextend upward and forward, and, embracing the thill, are attached together by hooks J and form a spring-support for the thill, the loop L inclosing the head of the bolt, the point M engaging the same at the rear. \Vhen in this position, the weight of the thill rests upon hooks J as upon a fulcrum, being supported by the springs H. 11 and the curved arms I I. The weight of the thills tends to throw the loop F forward against the bolt, which secures the thill in the clip and the eye of the thill backward toward the axle, thus taking up the lost motion in the parts and preventing rattling, the loop F by pressing against the surface of the bolt-head and nut, and prevents the same from turning. The parallel parts G G, by embracing the nuts E E, also prevent them from loosening, and for still further security the arm K is added, which may or may not be used, having the square loop L, which by embracing the bolt prevents it from turning, and the point M prevents the bolt from displacement. In the alternative method of applying the device the loop F is made narrow enough to be inserted between the jaws of the clip, as described, and by pressure against the bolttakes up lost motion and prevents rattling.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In combination with a thill and clip, the herein-described combined anti-rattler, nutlock, and support for thills, consisting of the loop F, adapted either to embrace the shank of or be inserted between the jaws of the clip, substantially as described, parallel parts G G, springs 11 II, parallel curved parts I I, and hooks J, arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a thill and clip, an anti-rattler and thill-support composed of a single piece of wire bent near its center to form a loop, adapted to be arranged between the clip and bolt, and having short parallel arms arranged underneath and extending to the rear side of the axle-springs H H, arranged at the rear end of said short arms and in the rearof the axle, and arms I I, extending from the springs upward and over the axle and attached to the thill at their upward and forward ends, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. I In combination with a thill-clip and axle, l

l the same, springs, as l[ H, arranged at the l rear of the same, parallel arms, as I I, projecting over the same from rear to front, hooks J, arm K, and loop L and point M, all arranged substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

an anti-rattler and thill-support constructed ALBERT J. GIDDINGS.

of spring-wire or other suitable material, hav- Witnesses: ing a loop, as F, arranged in front of the axle, DENNIS L. ROGERS, parallel parts, as G G, arranged underneath G. W. SHOOK. 

